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A sincere thanks to everyone in London who joined us at the UK premiere of our #documentary Forget Winnetou! Loving in the Wrong Way at the Native Spirit Festival on Wed. Oct.17th! Great thanks to the festival’s director and volunteers who organized and helped everything go. There are still more events to come in their programming, so check out their list of films & guest speakers here: http://www.nativespiritfoundation.org/12th-native-spirit-film-festival-11-21-october-2018/.

Check out many other authors & director Red Haircrow’s review of “Spirits of Blood, Spirits of Breath: The Twinned Cosmos of #Indigenous America” by Barbara Alice Mann (Seneca) in NAIS: Native American and Indigenous Studies’s latest journal, Vol.5.1 2018, at the University of Minnesota. Copies available here https://www.upress.umn.edu/journal-division/journals/nais

An excerpt: “Spirits of Blood, Spirits of Breath” is a collection of different and sometimes distinct indigenous perceptions, stories, legends and, while some people might call them myths, as in fiction, these are histories and explanations orally passed down that are believed true or are rooted in truth. As the aphorism states, “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Yet this book is more than a systematic gathering of related information primarily on serpents and thunderbirds or sky and earth beings, none unique or forbidden because it is all available if you know where to look, and far more than a work detailing then condemning European proclivities, past or present. It is correction by example, of misattribution, mislabeling, and at times a “blow-by-blow” timeline of western interference and biased disdain for actual native wisdom and realities, while conversely other Europeans appropriated and erased.”

Description: “A spirit permeates western society of ignoring the harm caused others, especially if it’s for one’s own gratification or convenience. Racism, homo- and transphobia, ableism and sexism are behaviors that demonstrate that spirit. They damage, deny and erase self-expression and identity. For Black People and People of Color, especially indigenous Women and Trans persons these problems intersect and are even greater. Through film those effected can affirm agency and resist the systematic silencing and erasure of their voices. By telling their collective stories and shedding light on injustices that occurred not historically and until today and the various forms of resistance against these, they can reclaim space and control their own narratives. Thereby ultimately empowering themselves and others within these communities.

In this series we would like to show a number of films by indigenous film makers dealing with a variety of topics amongst others historical and present day injustices, resistance, identity and intersectionality. Each screening will be accompanied by a discussion with the curator Red Haircrow and a guest speaker.”

In Berlin on 29 October, starting at 20:00 at the Babylon Cinema, my documentary film will screen at this film festival. Myself and members of the film team, and hopefully some participants also will be there to present and see it on the big screen again. Please visit their website, as well as the theater site for more details and information on the venue and other films being shown. http://www.refugeesfilmfest.com or in the Website of Babylon Cinema: https://babylonberlin.eu.

The topic of refugees, “migrants” and the backlash of hatred, intolerance and xenophobia that continues to be a big problem in Germany, might topically seem unrelated to Native Americans or German enthusiasm and appropriation of “native cultures”. However, it is very much connected to the issues of racism and modern colonialism that plague western society. Here is an entry letter to the festival, as we realized (and have experienced) that many Europeans, Germans especially, automatically reject any criticism or connection of stereotypes to continuing historical harm.

Greetings,

I am Red Haircrow, the director and producer of this attached film submission. At first glance, it may not seem to fit the description of your festival, but very much due to its material and participants, I feel it may be given consideration due to its honest discussion of stereotyping of people of color, foreigners and those who are “Othered” in German society.

Our film’s interviewees contrast Germany’s treatment of its “favorite” foreigners, Native American Indians vs. the daily racism, discrimination and aggression less flavored “others”, such as refugees and migrants often receive. It also specifically discusses how white foreigners are “expats”, but people of color are “migrants”. A different standard is applied. So, the topics of Eurocentrism, colonialist history and beliefs, nationalism and racism when one does not fit the favored stereotype is considered. Also the role of spectator or voyeur some Europeans have to migration stories and the personal and/or national tragedies that people searching for better and safer lives may bring with them.

Great to be part of a film festival with so much enthusiasm, taking place at Bluewater Cinemas in Parker, Arizona. If you’re in the area and have time, check out some of the great films and shorts that will be available! Please visit their website or Facebook page for more details.

“Native Spirit Film Festival returns to London’s historic Bloomsbury to present Indigenous Film, Native Media and Artists, with some focus on languages in the run-up to UNESCO 2019 Year of Indigenous Languages.

Director Red Haircrow, and members of the film team and a participant will be on location to present and take part in a Q&A following the documentary. It takes place at the historic Senate House library, and we hope to see some of you there!

We were so pleased to be selected for the Indigenous Film Festival 2018, where our documentary screened on August 2nd at Billy Mills Hall on Pine Ridge. We hoped it simulated some good conversations, and I consider us lucky to be included next to so many wonderful Native films, animations and music videos.

decolonization of cuisine, culture, languages and traditions or environmental practices.

Discussion panels, workshops and lectures are planned. Filmmakers and artists don’t have to be on location in Berlin but would be very welcome. We can also arrange discussions via video chat. We are open to themes and compositions to accompany your films.

The purpose is for Natives to present and represent themselves and help educate on and lessen Native stereotypes and stereotyping through sharing their stories and experiences on their own terms.

The schedule is now being planned and will be finalized by August. The number of screenings and events will be based on the number of submissions.

Please contact us through our website form, including descriptions and links to your work, your availability and a short bio/profile. Also, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

Red Haircrow is a writer, educator, filmmaker and chef of Native (Chiricahua Apache/Cherokee) and African American heritage currently based in Berlin, who holds a BSc in Psychology, counsels selectively and is a Master’s student at MSU Bozeman, NAS. https://redhaircrow.com/ and Flying With Red Haircrow Productions.

Two of my poems, “The Color of Your Skin” and “Threatened by Beads” are included in this anthology of essays, art, poetry and more. First appearing in Red Ink International Journal’s special issue, Standing With Standing Rock (December 2016), my work was translated to German for this edition of Neue Rundschau, published by S. Fischer Verlag.

Synopsis: “Hegemonic historiographies – such as those about colonialism – are increasingly beginning to falter, are being rewritten and reperspectived. However, this does not happen by itself, but is also driven by the year-long struggles of activists, such as initiatives of Black people and other People of Color. How can history be told differently? Is historical injustice comparable? Can history not also be decentered and complex?

Pleased to announce our 2018 documentary trailer won a best-in-category award at the Buddha Film Festival (June 9-10, 2018) in Pune, Maharashtra, India, rated as one of the top 100 best reviewed on Film Freeway. All results are viewable at their website.